COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Freshman guard
Drew Lowder scored a game-high 24 points, but the Holy Cross men's basketball team was defeated by No. 7 Maryland 95-71 at the Xfinity Center. Lowder hit 10 of 19 field goal attempts on the night, and also handed out a team-best five assists. The Crusaders begin the year at 0-1 with the loss, while the Terrapins start the season 1-0.
Holy Cross made 44.8 percent of its field goal attempts and 25.9 percent of its three-pointers on the night. The Terrapins connected on 48.7 percent of their shots from the floor, while holding a 47-33 rebounding advantage and a 24-5 edge in free throw attempts.
The game was close early on, and the Crusaders held a 19-16 advantage with 12:59 remaining in the first half. Maryland then went on a 17-5 run over the next five minutes to claim a nine-point lead (33-24). The margin later stood at seven points (46-39) with 1:27 left before the break, before the Terrapins finished out the half with five unanswered points to go up 51-39 heading into the locker room.
Holy Cross again closed to within seven points (52-45) with 17 minutes remaining in regulation, when Maryland used a 16-4 run to take control of the game. The Crusaders would get no closer than 16 points the rest of the way, before the Terrapins finally posted a 24-point victory.
Sophomore forward
Marlon Hargis scored a career-high 13 points, while freshman forward
Joe Pridgen added 12 points and a team-high eight rebounds. Maryland was led by Jalen Smith with 16 points and 11 rebounds.
Holy Cross returns to action on Saturday, Nov. 9, when it travels to New Hampshire for a 1:00 p.m. game.Â
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
• Lowder's 24 points were the most by a Crusader in his collegiate debut in over 30 years.
• Holy Cross falls to 70-31 all-time in season openers.
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